Women’s Hockey TWO MAJOR UPSETS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29271, 1 August 1960, Page 13

Women’s Hockey TWO MAJOR UPSETS

Carlton Has Slim Lead senior competition there were two major upsets. Both leadh>g teams. Harewood end Rawhiti, £*s® beaten opponents occupying positions on the lower half of the championship ladder. Teachers’ College caused the greater surprise in gaining its first win of the season, and it displayed great stubbornness and energy in this achievement. As a result of these two surprise results Carlton took the lead in the competition by defeating University, but the ultimate winner will only be decided when the final round is played. Results were:— Carlton 2, University 1. Teachers* College 4, Rawhiti 1. Aranui 4, Harewood 2. * Digby’s 2, Christchurch West Competition points are: Carlton 91, Digbys 9, Hare wood 9. Rawhiti 9, University 7. Aranui 51, Christchurch West 2. Treachers’ College 1. CARLTON v. UNIVERSITY The standard of play in this game was very disappointing, and Carlton won mainly because of the errors of its opponents. The result might have been reversed if the trapping of the University players had been more reliable. Carlton’s attack was based upon the speed and thrust of A. MacDonald, at inside-right, and her good form was most opportune because of the comparative mediocrity of her colleagues who did not move with their customary certainty. M. Mangels, J. Brown and L. Drummond formed a solid half-line which was quick to take advantage of University’s errors. The backs, B. Webb and G. Falloon, showed improvement in their covering of each other, but the latter indulged in too many fly-hits. J. Pawsey made some good saves in the University goal, and B. Nott tackled well at right-back. J. Gainsford and S. Comer were often prominent m the half-line, and F. Kelly and C. Doman were the best of the forwards. Goals were scored for Carlton by A. MacDonald (2), and C. Doman scored for University. TEACHERS* COLLEGE v. RAWHITI Rawhiti dominated the play in the first half, but could make little impression on a stubborn and much improved defence. Gaining confidence as the game progressed. Teachers’ College exerted more pressure in the second half and finally emerged with a convincing win. Rawhiti was unfortunate in losing two players during the match through injury, and a third player was handicapped by a severely split finger. J. Lynch played a splendid game in' the Teachers’ College goal, and the two backs, G. Cochrane and A. Royds, covered each other well and were always quick on recovery. At centre-half, S. Wood played an inspired game, whose result was a fitting reward for the manner in which she has carried the main defensive burden of a weak team throughout the season. M. Healy, M. Mathieson and D. Stapleton were tireless forwards who played with great dash on attack and never failed to link with their defence when required. Rawhiti’s best defensive player was C. Herrett, at centre-half, but the remainder of the defence was badly organised. N. Lennie’s penchant for playing too close to the five-yard line enabled the opposing insideright to cut infield on several occasions fatal to Rawhiti. Th’e attack broke down because it relied far too much upon individual • solo dribbling. There was little attempt at combined play and the passing was mainly futile. For what was achieved Rawhiti was indebted mainly to A. Schimanski and N. Cowan. Goals were scored for Teachers College by M. Healy (2), D. Stapleton and R. Robb, and E. Johnson scored for Rawhiti. ARANUI v. HAREWOOD Throughout the first half play was fairly even in this match, but Aranui gained a slight advantage in the second spell, and in the last 10 minutes there were distinct signs of panic in the Harewood ranks. The Aranui half-line, P. Black, M. McGarry, and A. Fleete, has shown considerable development during the season, and it coped effectively with the Harewood forwards. Additional sound defence was provided by the resolute tackling of the backs, L. Farrant and Z. Walker. There was some improvement in the combined play of the forwards among whom S. McCaw was outstanding. G. Mayer and J. Ashenden gave her useful support, the former also back-jack-ling well, and M. O’Brien made some good runs on the wing. The Harewood defence appeared to be rather disorganised. The backs were uncertain in their covering and at times hampered each other. The wing halves tended to crowd the centre of the field too much. L. Bayliss did well enough in goal and seemed to be unsighted when two of the goals were scored against her. L. Watson was the best of the halves. B. Turner and G. Merrin were the best of the forwards and played well enough individually, but the line lacked combination and the right flank was weak. The trapping was not as reliable as usual, and it deteriorated further as the game progressed. The Aranui goals were scored by G. Mayer (3) and J. Ashenden, and L. Todd and P. Robinson scored for Hare wood. DIGBY* S V. CHRISTCHURCH WEST Christchurch West maintained its improved form of the last few weeks and forced Digby’s to strive hard for victory. M. Thomson played a fine game on West’s right-wing, but the team lacked a good scoring forward to profit from her penetration and centre passes. A. Donaldson at inside-right was quite tireless, being prominent on attack and back-tack-ling without cessation. The best of the defence were J. Hall in the backs and B. Treloar in the halves, the latter showing development in her play in recent weeks. For Digby’s N. Beale and M. Wood presented a sound defence as backs, and the halves were always steady against West’s determined attacks. S. Riches, in the centre, was the best of the line. C. Mullally dribbled well on the right-wing, and her centre passes showed improvement. She played a considerable part in her team’s Win. The left flank pair, T. Tuhou and H. Pickles, also showed speed and penetration at times, and their combination was pleasing. The Digby’s goals were scored by C. Mullally and D. McKinnell, and M. Thomson scored for Christchurch West.